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"Persistent unfaithfulness"

Text: Ezekiel 14:13

THE DEPTH OF SIN IN ISRAEL

The sin problem in Israel in the days of Ezekiel was not superficial. The Lord had to help Ezekiel understand the depth of Israel’s sin problem.

“The word of the Lord came again to me, saying:
‘Son of man, when a land sins against Me by persistent unfaithfulness,
I will stretch out My hand against it;
I will cut off its supply of bread, send famine on it,
and cut off man and beast from it.
Even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it,
they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness,’
says the Lord God.”
Ezekiel 14:12-14

1. The word of the Lord.

a) Once again, the Lord spoke to Ezekiel.

b) God’s word revealed things that could not be easily discerned.

2. Israel’s sin problem analysed.

a) It was not just one or two individuals bent on sinning.

b) It was the whole land!

c) The sin of the land was “persistent unfaithfulness”.

i) Persistent sinning.

ii) Persistent unfaithfulness.

iii) Israel’s sinning against God was perpetual.

iv) There was no evident sign of remorse or repentance.

3. God’s judgment forewarned.

a) God will stretch His hand against the land where sin prevailed.

b) The expressions of God’s wrath.

i) He will cut off the supply of food.

ii) He will cause a famine in the land.

iii) Both man and beast would be cut off as a result.

4. Three righteous men cited.

a) Noah, Daniel and Job were noted for their righteousness.

b) God delivered them out of all their distresses.

c) What if they were to live in the land of Israel?

d) God would deliver them out of His mercy and out of regard for their righteousness.

e) But the land would not be delivered from the fate that He had determined for the sinful inhabitants.